Classic Christmas Films: A Baker's Dozen

Nothing beats the charm and wit of classic Christmas films. This hub highlights the best-known holiday movies of the 1940s and 1950s.

"The Bishop's Wife" reproduction poster print. | Source

Beloved Holiday Classics

’Tis the season for sweet traditions like spiced cider, iced cookies and holiday films. What better way to escape the cold, or the hustle and bustle of crowded shops, than a wonderful old movie?

While there is no shortage of holiday films, nothing beats the charm and wit of Christmas movies from the 1940s and 1950s. Filled with warmth, whimsy and the right touch of holiday spirit, these timeless treasures are a great way to celebrate the season.

Popular Christmas movies, even the classics, are generally easy to find during the holiday shopping season. Look for them online or at entertainment retailers, movie rental stores or your public library.

While many Hollywood classics are available on DVD, some are still only available in VHS format. Those in the public domain may be viewable online for free at the Internet Movie Archive.

This hub offers a baker's dozen of holiday treats for your viewing pleasure. These sweet gems from yesteryear are some of the best Christmas movies ever made. Pour yourself a cup of hot cider, settle into a comfortable chair and enjoy the show!

1. The Shop Around the Corner (1940)

The Shop Around the Corner is a delightful film starring James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan. The 1940 movie is based on "Parfumerie," a 1937 Hungarian play by Miklos Laszlo.

Set in a Budapest gift shop during the busy shopping season, the story centers on two strong-willed coworkers: Alfred Kralik and Klara Novak. Although they intensely dislike each other, they maintain a secret letter-writing relationship, each unaware of their pen pal’s true identity.

This charming movie has inspired numerous musicals, movies and television shows including the Tom Hanks-Meg Ryan film You've Got Mail and the British sitcom Are You Being Served?

James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan in "The Shop Around the Corner." | Source

2. Meet John Doe (1941)

Meet John Doe is a Christmas classic that is often overlooked. Frank Capra directed the 1940 movie, which stars Gary Cooper and Barbara Stanwyck.

The story centers on an unemployed man who is hired by a city newspaper to impersonate a non-existent “John Doe.” Pretending to threaten suicide on Christmas Eve to protest society's ills, the man sets off a grassroots political movement.

When he learns that he is being used to create a political party, the man thinks that he is a failure and threatens suicide for real. Only a newspaper reporter and the movement's loyal followers can persuade him otherwise. In reference to Jesus, the people remind him that an historical "John Doe" already died for the sake of humanity.

3. Holiday Inn (1942)

Holiday Inn is a song-and-dance musical starring Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Marjorie Reynolds and Virginia Dale. While it is popular at Christmas, the movie is fun to watch any time of year.

The story is set on a Connecticut farm, in a country inn that only opens on holidays. It centers on two men, one a singer and the other a dancer, who vie for the affections of a lovely young woman.

With music from Irving Berlin, the film features twelve memorable songs including "White Christmas." The song's legacy led to a loose remake of the film the 1954 hit White Christmas, which also starred Bing Crosby.

5. Christmas in Connecticut (1945)

The story centers on a food writer who pretends to be the perfect housewife for the sake of her magazine column. When her boss invites a war hero to her home for the holiday, she tries to cover her deception. The results are hilarious!

6. It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

It’s a Wonderful Life is America's favorite Christmas movie. The heartwarming story centers on a compassionate but desperate man who receives a special gift: a chance to see what the world would be like without him.

The 1946 holiday classic is based on “The Greatest Gift,” a 1943 short story by Philip Van Doren Stern. It is one of the most inspirational films of all time. Directed by Frank Capra, the Oscar nominated movie stars James Stewart, Donna Reed, Henry Travers and Lionel Barrymore.

It's a Wonderful Life created a lasting impression on popular culture. Numerous novels, comic books, songs, television shows and other movies have made reference to the film's title and characters.

7. The Bishop's Wife (1947)

The Bishop’s Wife is a fun romantic comedy starring Cary Grant, Loretta Young and David Niven. The 1947 film was adapted from a Robert Nathan novel.

The story tells of an angel who is sent to a bishop's home in answer to prayer. His mission is to guide the bishop and those around him. However, something unexpected happens in the process: the angel develops an attraction to the bishop's wife!

This charming Christmas movie features loads of holiday atmosphere: Christmas shopping, tree trimming, sidewalk strolls in the city, a church boy’s choir and ice skating in the park.

8. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

Miracle on 34th Street is one of the most loved Christmas movies of all time. The 1947 movie stars Maureen O’Hara, John Payne, Edmund Gwenn and a young Natalie Wood.

Set in New York City following Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Miracle on 34th Street tells the story of a nice old man who claims to be Santa Claus and the young lawyer who defends his claim in court.

With a holiday theme and faith message ("You've got to have faith in something that's bigger than you"), the film remains a perennial Christmas favorite.

Miracle on 34th Street has inspired several remakes including a Broadway musical and a 1994 film starring Mara Wilson.

9. The Miracle of the Bells (1948)

The story centers on a Hollywood press agent who returns the body of a young actress to her hometown for burial. To pay her tribute and generate interest for her film, the man convinces the Coaltown churches to ring their bells for three days.

While the movie is not about Christmas, it is considered a holiday classic. The flashback scenes, especially a memorable Christmas Eve dinner at a Chinese restaurant, make it a special movie to watch during the holidays.

12. A Christmas Carol (1951)

A Christmas Carol, also called Scrooge, is a film adaptation of the classic Charles Dickens novella. It is one of the most popular films of the holiday season.

The story centers on Ebeneezer Scrooge, a bitter old miser who discovers the error of his ways through the ghost of his business partner, Jacob Marley. When three other spirits haunt him on Christmas Eve, Scrooge receives a chance for redemption.

Among the many film adaptations of A Christmas Carol, this 1951 movie is considered the definitive version. Alastair Sim plays the role of Scrooge.

Inspired by Holiday Inn, another Christmas classic, White Christmas follows a successful song-and-dance duo who become romantically involved with a sister act. The four team up to save a failing Vermont inn that is owned by a retired army general.

White Christmas is the first film that was produced and released in VistaVision, a high resolution, widescreen format. Immensely popular at the time of release, it is now a holiday favorite.

My husband and I started this year's holiday viewing with "Holiday Inn." What a great little film. I never get tired of this one!

Erica 4 years ago

My family has a tradition of spending ALL day Christmas day watching Christmas movies (although now that my sisters and i have kids the movies are often just running in the background), and some favorites in our house were "It's a Wonderful Life" and "White Christmas," along with more recent ones. Over the years we've added "Holiday Inn" and "Christmas in Connecticut," and one I'm trying to get in to rotation, "Bundle of Joy." I don't know if it's necessarily a Christmas movie (though it is set at Christmas time and this is the ime of year i always finditon TV) but i love it. And I always heard it was a remake of "Bachelor Mother" but i had never seen it- I watched it for the first time last night and besides a few minor differences they're practically the same movie (word for word).

Annette R. Smith 4 years ago from Orlando, Florida Author

Hi, Erica. Thank you for stopping by! "Bundle Of Joy" is a new one to me. Thanks for sharing a little bit of info and insight. I'm going to add it to my growing list of movies I must see. Merry Christmas!

mjkearn 4 years ago

Hi Annette

Thoroughly enjoyed this hub and great job. Happy you included my two favorite xmas movies White Christmas and it's a wonderful life. Have bookmarked to check out the rest. Ticked and voted up.

MJ.

Annette R. Smith 4 years ago from Orlando, Florida Author

Hello, MJ. So glad you enjoyed the read! "White Christmas" and "It's a Wonderful Life" are among my favorite holiday films. A companion hub called "8 Forgotten Christmas Films of the 1940s" highlights more of my favorites. Thank you for the vote up. Merry Christmas!

ajwrites57 3 years ago from Pennsylvania

I wrote a Hub similar to this one. I saw The Shop Around the Corner for the first time this year. Most of these I've seen several times. Come to the Stable and Holiday Inn are often overlooked Christmas movies. I think Christmas movies are good to watch anytime--not just at Christmas. Thanks for sharing.

Annette R. Smith 3 years ago from Orlando, Florida Author

You're welcome, A.J. I love the old classics! Like you, I tend to watch Christmas movies throughout the year, and it's fun to discover holiday films that I haven't seen before. I'm off to check out your hub now!

Sylvain Lamoureux 14 months ago

The only change I would make, if it was my list, is Going My Way instead of Come To The Stable. The movies would be in a different order, but the list is pretty good. I have all of them on DVD and also the list of rare ones you posted. I've been collecting Christmas movies for many years now.

Annette R. Smith 14 months ago from Orlando, Florida Author

Hi, Sylvain Lamoureux. Thanks for your comment. "Going My Way" is a wonderful film! I can't wait to begin my holiday movie watching. By the way, I listed these films chronologically / alphabetically because it was hard for me to choose a favorite!